Grade-measuring device



2 June 8 1927 G. c. FRANTZ GRDIEMEASURING DEVICE Filed Jan. 2, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. C. FRANTZ GRADE MEASURING DEVICE June 28, 1927. 1,633,854

Filed Jan. 2, 192e 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 28 1927.

G. c. FRANTZ GRADE MEASURNG DEVICE Filed Jan. z, 1926 :s sheets-sheet 5 UNl'l'ED STATES P GEovEE o. EEANTZ, or

UTILITIES COMPANY, o

y 1,633,854 ATENT. OFFICE.

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, .ASSIGNOR TO llIOlDIillRiN'y E IIARRISBUEG, PENNSYLVANIA.

GEADE-MEASURING nEvIoE.

Application led January This invention relates to grade measuring devices adapted for use in ascertaining. the

The customary way of qui a grade Jfor a s loping ngrade of sloping pipes, highways,

railroad tracks or any other slanting surface.

measuring ckly part` especially a pipe in a building, is by the use of a spirit level and a scale. One end on the pipe and a the level measures level to the sloping pipe. urements, grade of slope. jectionable because vThis crude of the level is placed scale at the other end of the distance :troni the From such measthe workman approximates the method is obthe grade measured is inaccurate and does not comply with the contractors specications.

The objects of my invention are to provide a simple and rugged grade measuring device with which the 'grade oa sloping part may be quickly measured and which may be readily used Vfor leveling` and plumbing purposes.

These objects, ends which will be and other described hei'einater, I attain in the following manner, reterence bev a dvantagcous ing had to the accompanying drawings in n hich Figure 1 is aplan view ot a grade measuring device made in accordance with my invention, Figure 2 a shown in Figure used Jfor leveling purposes,

Figure 3 a view similar to trating the device as the grade of a sloping part, Figure 4 a view similar to trating the device as used for poses, Figure of Figure 2,

side elevation of tlieldevice 1, illustrating the saine as Figure 2 illus-l used :tor determining Figure 2 inusplumbing pur- 5 an enlarged section on line 5,-',5

Figure 6 an enlarged,section,` on line 6-6 of Figure 2,

Figure 7 an enlarged section on line 7-7 ofV Figure 2,

Figure 8 an enlarged section on line l8-8 of Figure2,

Figure 9 o1 grade measuring' device,

a plan view of a modifiedform lFigure 10 a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 9,

Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 sections on lines l.1-11, 12--12, 13-13 andv tively of Figure 10.

.14-14 respec- Referringto the drawings, 1V indicates a base of inverted T-cross sec tion preferably 2, 1926. Serial No. 78,794.

viiatedfto indicate the grade in inches the Yfall per ten feet run, but may be graduated to indicate the grades in percent as used in highway andrrailroad construction work.

grade indicator 9 passes through slots 4 and t) and is adapted to be slid therein to adjust liar 2 relatively to base 1. The indicator may .include a pointer 10 slidable in slot 5, a bolt 11 passing through. the pointer and through the slots and having a cylindrical part 12 contacting with the walls of the slots, anda nut 13 threaded on the bolt for securing the pointer in position. A washer 14, preferably of fiber, is interposed between nut l?) and the sidewall ot base 1 to frictionally hold the indicator in adjusted position. The cylindrical part 12, being in contact with tlic slid therein, swing bar 2 on its pivot witliontbinding in the slots or producing appreciable play between bar 2 and base 1. 1n order to keep the bar 2 base 1 during adjustment, a guidef15 is tormed by striking out a rectangular section of the sheet from which the base is being formed and bending saine upwardly so, that it will engage the outer side of the bar when the device is assembled, Vas indicated in Figure 7. The free end 16 of the bar 2 is pret'- erably pointed to indicate the direction of the downward'slope ofthe part whose grade is being measured.` Y

The true grade measuringposition of the device is ascertained by a leveling unit 17 whichn may be jdetaehably connected to bar 2 as shown inFigures 1-8. The detachable connection maybe in the form of a socket 18 into which a part 19 of the leveling unit 17 fits. This part is fastened in the socket by a set screw 2O.l The ylevelingv unit, when of the detachable type, may consist of a plate 21. formed to havethe part 19 and a box 22 in which a leveling glass 23 is properly cemented. The boxris made so that its bottoni wall 24 will rest on the top edge of the walls of the slots, will, when alongside the poses,

bar 2 as shown in Figure 2. This insures that the leveling` unit will, when attached to bar always be parallel to the bar.

For plumb-ing pipes, walls or other vertical. surfaces, l provide an extension on thc base and a socket 26 similar to socket 1S on the extension. This socket has a set screw 27 for fastening the part 19 in the socket when the level-ing un-it is used in socket in lligurcs 9--1-1, I have shown a modified forni in which a leveling bar 2 is bent at its upper edge to form a reinforcing rib 8 which stilfens the bar and overlies the upright part of base 1 to prevent foreign matter from falling between the bar and the base. A leveling unit 17, similar to the leveling unit 17, is made by cementing a leveling glass 23 into a boX 22 formed from a plate 21, integral with rib 8 and having an opening at one side and a tab, on each end, by bending the plate downwardly and then forwardly, thus forming a square with the body of the leveling` bar forming the fourth side.4 rlhe tabs are then bent upwardly closing the lends of the box. A similar leveling unit 17b is made in a like manner on eX- tension 25 of base 1, and 1 have therefore givencorresponding parts similar reference characters with the exponent la To use the device as a level, it is adjusted to be as shown in Figure 2. It is then placed on a surface 28 to be leveled and used in the usual manner to ascertain whether the surface is level.

To measure a grade, *having for example a falll of 1 per 10', for an inclined part 29 such as a pipe, indicator 9 is slid in slots l and 5 to bring pointer 10 on the graduation marked 1 on scale 6. The device is then placed on part 29 and the part raised or lowered until the leveling unit indicates the true position.

l/Vhen. plumbing a vertical surface 30 of a pipe or a wall, leveling unit 17 is removed from socket 18 and attached to socket 25. rlhe under surface 7 of base 1 is then placed against surface 30, and the pipe or Wall' plumbed in the usual manner.

It is thus ,seenrthat the grading device above described may be used to ascertain the grade of any sloping part, that it may be readily used for leveling and plumbingJ purand that it may be quickly and accurately adjusted and the scale easily read. Y lVhile l have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will vbe understood that the various parts may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended' claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and ters Patent is 1. A grade indicator including an elongated base of inverted T-cross section having a slot extending longitudinally thereofV in the Vvertical part thereof; a leveling bar pivoted to the base, having` a slot inclined relatively to the slot in the base, and means slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar.

2. Agrade indicator including an elongated base of inverted T-cross section having an inclined slot extending longitudinally thereof in the vertical part thereof; a leveling bar rectangular in cross section pivoted te the base, havinga slot substantially parallel to its longitudinal edges and graduations adjacent to the slot, and means slid'able in the slots for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar.

3. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a lslot in the vertical part of the base:l a leveling bar pivoted to the base a d having a slot inclined. relatively to the slot of the base and having lgiaduations adjacent the slotya graduation pointer slidable on the levelingl bar`r and means passing through the pointer and slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar.

4l. A grade indicator including an elongated base of inverted T cross-section having an inclined slot extending longitudinally thereof in the vertical part thereof; a lcveling bar rectangular in cross section pivoted to the base and having a slot parallel with its longitudinal edges, and means including a cylindrical element slidalole in the slots and contacting with their Walls for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar. j

5. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot in the vertical part of the base; a leveling bar pivoted to the base, having a slot inclined relatively to the slot` of the base, and graduations adjacent the slot; a graduation pointer slidalole on the leveling bar; a cylindrical element secured to the pointer and passing through the slot of the base and of the leveling bar, and means on the element for securing the pointer in position.

6. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot in the vertical part of the base; a leveling barpiv- Oted to the base, having a slot inclined relatively to the slot of the base, and graduations adjacent the slot; a graduation pointer slidable on the leveling bar; a bolt passing through the pointer and the slots and having a cylindrical part contacting with the Walls of the slots, and means on the bolt for securing` the pointer in position.

7.V A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot inthe desire to secure by Letvertical part of the base; ak bar pivoted to the base, having a slot inclined relatively to the slot of the base; means slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar, and a leveling unit attached to the bar. y

8. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot in the vertical part of the base and an extension at one end; a bar pivoted to the base adjacent the extension and having a slot inclined relatively to the slot or' the base; means slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar; a leveling unitv attached to the bar, and a plumbing unit .at-` tached in the extension.

9. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot in the vertical part or' the base; a leveling bar pivoted to the base, having a slot inclined relatively to the slot of the base; means slidable in the slots i'or angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar, and means on the base for guiding the bar during the adjustment.

10. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot in the vertical part of the base; a leveling bar pivoted to the base, having a slot inclined relatively to the slot of the base; means slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the base relatively to the bar, and a guide fixed With the base and disposed adjacent the bar for guiding the same during angular adjustment.

11. A grade indicator including a base of inverted T-cross section having a slot in the vertical part of the base; a leveling member having one end pivoted to the base and yits other end pointed,l and a slot inclined relatively to theslot of the base, and means slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the Vbase relatively to the bar.

12. A grade indicator having a base of inverted T cross-section having a slot in the vertical part of the base; a leveling bar pivoted to the base and having a slot inclined relatively to theslot in the base; a leveling unit on the bar; an extension on the base; a second leveling unit in the extension disposed substantially at right angles to the base, and gularly adjusting vthe bar relatively to the ase.

13. A grade indicator inverted T-crosssection having a slot in the vertical part of the base; a leveling bar pivoted to the base having a slot inclined relatively to the slot in the base; a rib extend'- ing from the bar above the upper edge of including a base of the base, and means slidable in the slots for angularly adjustingthe bar relatively to the base.

inverted T-cross section having a slot; a lev` cling bar pivoted to the' base having a slot j to the slot in the base; a rib extending from the barv above the upper edge ofthe base; a leveling unit on the bar; an extension on the base; a second leveling unit in the extension and tially at right angles to the base, and means slidable in the slots for angularly adjusting the bar relatively to the base.'

ln testimony whereof I have name to this speciication.

C. FRANTZ. v

inclined relatively signed my GROVER disposed rsulostanmeans slidable in the slots for angrade indicator including a base of 

